Splint for the treatment of fractured legs

ABSTRACT

A synergical splint for the treatment of fractured legs is provided with a frame, a support for the femur pivotally connected to the frame and a support for the tibia-fibula pivotally connected to said femur support, said supports being pivotable independently of each other.

United States Patent Peterssen et al. 1 May 9, 1972 [54] SPLINT FOR THE TREATMENT OF 3,461,864 8/1969 COSS ..l28/85 FRACTURED LEGS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [72] Inventors: Curt Y. G. Peterssen, O. Vallgat. 49,

Lund; Goran A. w f KSA 0 I 954 France I AP:lviksstrandy both of Sweden 688,225 12/1940 Germany I 28/85 708,624 5/1931 France ....l28/85 1 Flledi 24, 1969 63,70l 1 1913 Switzerland 1 28/85 [211 App]. 79 024 747,05I 5/1943 Germany ..I28/85 Primary ExaminerRichard A. Gaudet I30] Forelgn Apphcat'on pnontypata Assistant E.\'am1'r1erJ. Yusko Nov. 26, 1968 Sweden ..-....l6065/68 Strauss 52 11.5. C1 ..l28/85 ABSTRACT [5 l] Int. Cl. ..A6lf 5/04 4 A synerglcal splmt for the treatment of fractured legs 1s pro- [58] held oI'Search ..l28/85, 83, 87, 88, 84, 75 vided with a frame a Support for the femur pivotany com 6 1 References Cited nected to the frame and a support for the tibia-fibula pivotally connected to said fernur support, said supports being pivota- UNITED STATES PATENTS ble independently ofeach other.

2,034,680 3/1936 Longfellow 128/85 6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures SPLINT FOR THE TREATMENT OF FRACTURED LEGS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to synergical splints or traction racks for use in the treatment of fractured legs.

When legs have been fractured the fracture ends will become displaced towards each other as a result of the contraction of the muscles so that the extremity in which the fracture has taken place becomes shortened. In order to neutralize this shortening of the extremity and cause the fracture ends to abut each other it is necessary to bring about an extension, and this can be provided by means of leg splints of different kinds.

However, the known splints have numerous and serious disadvantages making their use limited or difficult. The requirements of a splint which is acceptable from all viewpoints are numerous and very difficult to comply with. Thus, the splint should be simple to build and apply, it should be independent of the bed design so that it can be used in any type of bed, and furthermore it should be possible to use the splint for treating both femoral and tibia-fibula fractures. Another important requirement is that the splint should be applicable to both static and dynamic treatment, i.e. it must be possible both to 1 fix and to change the position of the extremity being treated in order to permit movement of the joints of the extremity without disturbing the extension. The last-mentioned requirement is of very great importance, for when treating fractures by means of static splints a very difficult stiffening of the joints is very often obtained, which can be overcome only by means of considerable exertions and sometimes not at all.

In one of the most frequently used types of splints a bar of the Thomas type is used which is suspended in the bed by means of cables and a very complicated equipment which is difficult to use. Such a splint is exclusively dynamic and no static fixation of the fracture can be achieved by such splint structure. Furthermore, a splint of this type is highly dependent on the bed design since the entire construction which carries the Thomas bar is applied with the aid of the bed posts and the other parts of the bed, and can only be used for the treatment of femoral fractures.

Another known splint which is often used is of the Bohler type. This type of splint operates only statically, i.e. no movement of the extremity in the joints during the treatment in the splint can be performed. Furthermore, for tibia-fibula fractures and femoral fractures it is necessary to use different kinds of splints, which is also an important drawback.

Other known types of splints do not either fulfil the demands enumerated above.

The object of this invention is therefore to provide a splint intended for use in treating fractured legs which lacks all the drawbacks of the splints previously known and largely fulfils the demands which must be placed on an acceptable splint of this kind.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a splint comprising a frame, a first support for the femur having one end pivotally connected to the frame, a first support for the tibiafibula pivotally connected to said femur support at a point spaced from the connection between said frame and said femur support, and means connected to said supports for moving said supports independently of each other and optionally fixing each of said supports in relation to said frame and balancing said supports and the leg resting thereon by means of traction producing means, such as weights.

A splint of this kind may be used independently of the bed design, for it can be placed on the bottom of the bed and will permit both a dynamic and a static position for the extremity since the ends of the cables may on one hand be secured to the splint so that the position of the support for the tibia-fibula and of the support for the femur is fixed, and on the other hand it may be loosened from the splint, in which connection it is possible to bring about a movement both in the knee joint and in the hip joint by pulling the cables, and in that way it is possible to let the pulling of the cables simulate the movement performed by the leg when the patient walks.

The splint may be used for treating both femoral fractures and tibia-fibula fractures. In connection with femoral fractures the cable from an extension yoke, the wire of which extends through the leg immediately above the knee joint, is allowed to extend over the friction-reducing means of the holding device and loads the cable with a weight at that end which is opposite to the extension yoke. When the splint is to be used for treating tibia-fibula fractures the support for the tibia-fibula or an extension thereof is provided with friction-reducing means over which there extends a cable which is fixed to an extension yoke having a wire extending through the heel portion, and at its end opposite to the extension yoke the cable is loaded witha weight.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the first support for the femur is connected with one end to the frame by means of small arms, which are pivotally connected with the frame and can be adjusted with respect thereto by means of a self braking worm gear mechanism so that the level of the support for the femur at that end of the frame may be adjusted in order to adapt it to the position of the support for the femur with respect to different patients.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will be described in greater detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 shows a synergical splint according to the invention in a first position,

FIG. 2 shows the synergical splint in a second position,

FIG. 3 shows the use of the synergical splint for extension of the tibia-fibula, and

FIG. 4 shows a detail of an adjusting device in the splint.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A synergical splint according to the invention comprises a frame 1 on which the splint is meant to rest and which carries the other parts of the splint. Furthermore, the splint has an angular or segmented support 2 for the femur with which a support 3 for the tibia-fibula is pivotally connected at pivot 4. The two supports are designed as frames covered with cloth. The frame 1 carries by means of two uprights 5 a holding member 6 which is provided i.a. with pulleys over which cables extend for carrying the support 2 for the femur and the support 3 for the tibia-fibula.

' The femur support 2 consists of relatively long support legs 2a and relatively short support legs 211, said support Zbeing pivotally connected with the frame 1 by means of. a pair of arms 7 which are fixedly connected at one of its ends with a shaft 8 pivotally mounted in the frame and are pivotally connected at their other end with the femur support 2. At a portion projecting past the frame 1 the shaft 8 has a worm gear 9 (FIG. 4) which is fixedly connected therewith and is in engagement with a worm wheel 10 which is fixedly connected with a rod 13 rotatably mounted in a holding member 11 and provided with a handle 12. By means of the worm gear 9, 10 the position of the arms 7 can be adjusted, whereby it is possible to adjust the level of the femur support 2 so that it can support the femur independently of the length of the patients femur. The femur support 2 consists of two portions fixedly connected with each other and forming an angle of about to each other.

A yoke 14 is pivotally connected at its ends to the support 3 for the tibia-fibula and is also connected via a cable 15 extending upwardly over a pulley 16 and a pulley 17. At the end of the cable 15 which is opposite to the yoke 14 there is suspended a weight 18 in order to balance the support 3. At the end of the femur support 2 which is opposed to the end thereof which is pivotally connected with the frame there is fixed a cable 19 extending over a pulley 20 and a pulley 21.

The cable 19, too, is provided with a weight 28 at its end opposed to the point where it is connected to the support for the femur. FIGS. 1 and 2 show an extension yoke 23 having a wire extending through the lower portion of the femur and in which a pulling force is exerted by means of a cable 25 extending over pulleys 26 and 27 and is provided with a weight 28 at its end opposite to the extension yoke 23.

The holding member for the pulleys consists of a T-shaped bar 29 which by means of a clamping device 30 is adjustably connected with a traverse 31 extending between the upper portion of the uprights 5. The holding member of the pulleys is also pivotal in the horizontal plane in a manner not shown in detail in order to render it possible to adjust the direction of the pulling force exertedby the cable 25. The pulleys 17, 21, 27 for these cables are suspended from the end transverse portion 32 of the T-shaped bar 29, and the cable pulleys 16, 20, 26 of the cables are carried by a clamping device 33 which is adjustably connected with the longitudinal portion 34 of the T-shaped bar 29. The height of the uprights is adjustable due to the fact that their lower portions project into sleeves 36 on the frame 1 which are provided with clamping means 35.

When the cables and 19 which are connected with the support 3 for the tibia-fibula and the femur support 2 are provided' with weights, the support for the tibia-fibula and the femur support are movable and it is consequently possible to let a pulling force in the cables cause the femur support 2 and the tibia-fibula support 3 to be raised and lowered independently of each other so that a movement in the hip-joint and the knee-joint of the leg may be performed. Two different positions of the tibia-fibula support and the femur support are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

It is, however, also possible to set the tibia-fibula support 3 and the femur support 2 in fixed positions because the ends of the cables which are provided with weights according to FIG. 1 have hooks 37 of the kind shown in FIG. 2. In the uprights 5 there are provided apertures (not shown) at various levels, and the hooks 37 can be introduced into these apertures, whereby it is possible to fix the position of the cables (by such traction producing means) and consequently the position of the support for the tibia-fibula and the femur support.

As appears from FIG. 3, the splint according to the invention may also be used for extension of the tibia-fibula. In that case the outer end of the support 3 is provided with a projecting portion 38 which is provided with pulleys 39 at its end, and furthermore a yoke 40 is provided at the point where the femur support 2 forms an angle with the support for the tibiafibula, said yoke 40 being provided at its sides with pulleys 41. An extension yoke 42 has a wire 43 extending through the heel-portion of the leg and is connected with a cable 44 extending via a guiding aperture provided in a connecting upright portion 45 on projecting portion 38 and extending around the pulleys 39 and back around the pulleys 41, where the cable 44 is provided with a weight 46. The direction of the traction force may be controlled by changing the position of the portion 45 having the guiding aperture in a manner which is not shown in detail. Of course, even if this does not appear from FIG. 3, for the sake of simplicity, the splint, like the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is provided with the uprights 5 and the holding member 6, to the pulleys of which those cables extend which carry the support for the tibia-fibula and the support for the femur.

Even if preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be realized that many modifications of the shown embodiment are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

It can thus be seen that there has been provided according to the invention a splint device which is characterized by a base frame 1, a plurality of traction producing means 18, 22, 28 and 46, first support means 2 having one end joined to the base frame 1 and having the opposite end suspended by means of a first traction producing means 22 to balance said first support means, said first su port means being se mented and ineluding two angularly a ustable support legs a, 2b, relatively short support legs 2b and relatively long support legs 2a, respectively, said relatively short support legs 2b being connected to the base frame by first pivot means and said relatively long support legs 2a being connected with said first traction producing means 22, second support means 3 articulated with one end to second pivot means 4 provided on said first support means 2, said second support means 3 being shorter in length than said long support legs 2a of said first support means 2 and being connected with its opposite end to a second traction producing means 18 to balance said second support means, and means 7-13 to move both said support means 2, 3 centrally, as well as relatively to each other into a position affording displacement of said first support means 2 for engaging the femur independently of said second support means 3, which is engageable with the tibia-fibula of the leg to be treated.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the special embodiments herein shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What is claimed is:

l. A splint device for the treatment of a fractured leg comprising a base frame, a plurality of traction producing means, first support means having one end joined to said base frame and having the opposite end suspended by means of a first traction producing means to balance said first support means, said first support means being segmented and including two angularly adjustable support legs, relatively short support legs and relatively long support legs, respectively, said relatively short support legs being connected to the base frame by first pivot means and said relatively long support legs being connected with said first traction producing means, second support means articulated with one end to second pivot means provided on said first support means, said second support means being shorter in length than said long support legs of said first support means and being connected with its opposite end to a second traction producing means to balance said second support means, and means to move both said support means centrally, as well as relatively to each other into a position affording displacement of said first support means for engaging the femur independently of said second support means, which is engageable with the tibia-fibula of the leg to be treated.

2. A splint device according to claim 1, said moving means including arm means, and a worm-gear mechanism carried by said base frame and operatively connected via said arm means with said first support means to regulate the position of the latter.

3. A device according to claim 2, said worm gear mechanism including shaft means interconnecting parts of said base frame and carrying said arm means to facilitate adjustment of the support legs of said first support means to each other and to said second support means, respectively.

4. A splint device according to claim 1, said second support means being equipped with an extension, and two sets of roller means mounted, respectively on said extension and on said first support means near said second pivot means, said roller means accommodating a cable connection between a further traction producing means and said first support means.

5. A device according to claim 4, one set of said roller means including friction-reducing means located adjacent said second pivot means and carried by said first support means, said cable connection having one end attached to an extension yoke positionable with said tibia-fibula on said second support means and having another end joined to weight means in the proximity of said friction-reducing means.

6. A device according to claim 5, including cable guide means affixed to said extension and positioned between said other set of roller means and said extension yoke. 

1. A splint device for the treatment of a fractured leg comprising a base frame, a plurality of traction producing means, first support means having one end joined to said base frame and having the opposite end suspended by means of a first traction producing means to balance said first support means, said first support means being segmented and including two angularly adjustable support legs, relatively short support legs and relatively long support legs, respectively, said relatively short support legs being connected to the base frame by first pivot means and said relatively long support legs being connected with said first traction producing means, second support means articulated with one end to second pivot means provided on said first support means, said second support means being shorter in length than said long support legs of said first support means and being connected with its opposite end to a second traction producing means to balance said second support means, and means to move both said support means centrally, as well as relatively to each other into a position affording displacement of said first support means for engaging the femur independently of said second support means, which is engageable with the tibia-fibula of the leg to be treated.
 2. A splint device according to claim 1, said moving means including arm means, and a worm-gear mechanism carried by said base frame and operatively connected via said arm meaNs with said first support means to regulate the position of the latter.
 3. A device according to claim 2, said worm gear mechanism including shaft means interconnecting parts of said base frame and carrying said arm means to facilitate adjustment of the support legs of said first support means to each other and to said second support means, respectively.
 4. A splint device according to claim 1, said second support means being equipped with an extension, and two sets of roller means mounted, respectively, on said extension and on said first support means near said second pivot means, said roller means accommodating a cable connection between a further traction producing means and said first support means.
 5. A device according to claim 4, one set of said roller means including friction-reducing means located adjacent said second pivot means and carried by said first support means, said cable connection having one end attached to an extension yoke positionable with said tibia-fibula on said second support means and having another end joined to weight means in the proximity of said friction-reducing means.
 6. A device according to claim 5, including cable guide means affixed to said extension and positioned between said other set of roller means and said extension yoke. 